"This is basically an oral history of the national pastime from its inception to the present. Many players and events are described: Johnny Evers reminisces about the famous force-play that became "Merkle's Boner" to the world in 1908. Fred Lieb tells how the Yankees' pitcher Carl Mays killed the Indians' Ray Chapman with a submarine pitch ("I could see the left eye hanging from its socket") in 1920. Hall-of-Farmer Leo Durocher recalls how he put down an uprising of Brooklyn Dodgers to keep Jackie Robinson out of the big leagues by saying of their petition: "You can wipe your ass with it." Hank Aaron remembers that when he came close to beating Babe Ruth's home-run record, he received "Dear Nigger" letters. But what makes this book special are the pictures, especially those in black-and-white: Jackie Robinson stretching at first base with Ebbets Field in the background; Willie Mays climbing the outfield wall to rob a player of a base hit; Casey Stengel sliding home with an inside-the-park home-run during the 1923 World Series; and, of course, the Babe hitting one out. A treat for the baseball aficionado."
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